Bill Campbell

Bill Bliss Campbell, age 86, of Paola, KS, passed away on July 25, 2009, in Lawrence, KS. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 8, at 10:30 am, at the Paola Cemetery. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.penwellgabelpaola.com. Bill was born on January 16, 1923, to Guy and Ilgra Stinson Campbell in Emporia, KS. He graduated from Emporia High School and then attended Emporia State University in the 1940s. Bill was a star basketball player at Emporia State. Dean Smith was the ball boy and his father was the coach. Dean Smith kept in contact with Bill all his life. Bill graduated from Emporia State with a B.A. in education, and later, a master"s degree. Bill married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy L. Phillips, on October 3, 1942. Theirs was a true love story. Bill was a WWII veteran, serving in the United States Army in the European Theater from 1943 to 1945. He survived the Battle of the Bulge. After returning home, Bill became a teacher and coach. Bill and Dorothy moved to Paola in 1956 from Coldwater, KS, where they had lived since 1950. In the 1960s, he was principal of Paola High School. He then became the regional Head Start director until his retirement. Bill was a member of the American Legion and was a deacon at the Presbyterian Church. He will be greatly missed. Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy, in 2008; his infant son, Billy Campbell; and sister, Barbara Campbell. Survivors include son, James Kemper Campbell of Walton, NE; daughter, Connie Ahlberg of Gig Harbor, WA; son, Douglas S. Campbell of Lawrence, KS; and son, Patrick Scott Campbell of Walla Walla, WA; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Paola Cemetery West Street Paola, Kansas 66071 Service: Graveside Service Saturday, August 08, 2009 10:30 AM Visitation: No Visitation